Persons with disabilities

In the event of an evacuation, persons with disabilities that prevent them from exiting the building should do the following:

  • ­Proceed to the designated Area of Rescue Assistance or nearest stairwell if you can and wait there to be evacuated by a member of the UIC Police Department (UICPD) or an emergency responder.
  • ­If possible, ask the Floor Coordinator or another person to accompany you to the stairwell. Ask the person to immediately inform UICPD and/or other emergency responders of your exact location (­floor, stairwell number, etc.) once the person has evacuated.
  • ­Once in the stairwell, call UICPD for help; if no help arrives in 5-10 minutes, call again. Be Persistent!

Most individuals with visual impairments will be familiar with their immediate work or study area. In an emergency situation:

  • ­Announce the type of emergency; offer arm for guidance.
  • ­Tell the person where you are going, obstacles you encounter.
  • ­When you reach safety, ask if further help is needed.
  • Individuals with hearing impairments may not perceive emergency alarms; an alternative way to warn them is required:
  • ­Flicker the lights to gain the person’s attention or indicate through gestures what is happening and what to do.
  • Write a note with evacuation directions, such as: “Fire. Go out rear door to the right and down, NOW!”